The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is sad to announce the passing of Dr. Iona Black, a treasured member of the AISES family. Dr. Black began her journey home on August 4, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Black was an important AISES friend and ally, and our deepest sympathies are with her family and friends at this time.

Dr. Black achieved a PhD and MS degree in physical chemistry from Duquesne University and a MEd degree from Boston University. She was a physical chemist with research involving anti-cancer/anti-viral compounds, contaminated water, and indigenous medicine.

For decades, Dr. Iona Black was on the chemistry faculty at Yale University, and Yale University’s Medical School Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP). She impacted generations of students who would later become scientists, engineers, and medical professionals. Most recently she was on the faculty in chemistry at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

Dr. Iona Black’s light and intelligence touched many in the world. She spent much of her time sharing her expertise in organic chemistry with researchers to find breast cancer cures. She believed in supporting others and she was especially passionate about creating diversity in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields for underrepresented minority students.

In 2001, Science magazine (published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) – the World’s largest General Scientific Society) highlighted programs at UC Berkeley and other universities about diversity practices in science. Dr. Black was acknowledged for her academic director role at Yale University’s Science, Technology, and Research Scholars (STARS) program. There, she encouraged STARS students to participate in a program-supported internship. During their lab experience, students took Black’s “Introduction to Scientific Reasoning” course. The goal of this course was to raise confidence in lab courses and research experiences for students. It was here that Iona set high expectations for her students and where she formed lasting personal bonds. “Her particular style is one of tough love. She doesn’t let the students get away with anything. Yet they know she cares,” said Robert Wyman, STARS co-director.

It is abundantly clear that Dr. Black left a lasting impression on her students and colleagues as an educator and mentor, and some even called her “a mother figure.”

Dr. Black attended AISES events where she shared her own story of educational and teaching success. In 2017, she served on the AISES Professional of the Year selection committee at the University of Hawai’i in Honolulu. She served two terms on the AISES Board of Directors. She was active with the Education Committee, Academic Advisory Committee, and was past secretary of the AISES Publishing, Inc. She was a lifetime Sequoyah Fellow. Her mentorship, leadership, and powerful influence at AISES will be dearly missed.

“They have to know that you believe they can be successful, and that help is there when they face a roadblock” Dr. Black said in the Science article.

Our beloved Iona, many are all facing an unimaginable future with the news of your passing. The entire AISES family mourns your loss and are extremely grateful for all you did.

AISES will follow up with more information about a memorial service or ways to support the family as it becomes available.